Global Mobile Corp signs WiMAX deal with Clearwire

Local WiMAX license holder Global Mobile Corp (全球一動) yesterday signed an extensive cooperation agreement with US-based WiMAX service carrier Clearwire International LLC, with the potential for future equity investment.

With the agreement, Global Mobile joins Clearwire’s Global Alliance Partners and the companies team up on go-to-market strategies and roaming, while Global Mobile may leverage Clearwire’s service experience in customer care and content application services, the companies said in a joint statement.

“Clearwire will provide the expertise and the experience it has gained from the rollout of its own US and European-based WiMAX operations,” Clearwire president Barry West said in Taipei.

Cooperating with global WiMAX operators, including Global Mobile, would help the firms reach economic scale and make profits earlier, West said.

The joint statement also said Clearwire, an affiliate of Clearwire Corp, would receive warrants to acquire a minority equity stake in Global Mobile.

West said “no cash investment” would be involved in the cooperation, but intellectual transfers may take place.

At a separate press conference yesterday, Clearwire signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with another local WiMAX license holder, Vee Telecom Multimedia Co (威達超舜), for a similar cooperation deal.

Clearwire would provide consultancy services as Vee Telecom deploys its network and shortens its time to market.

Vee Telecom said it was also in talks with Clearwire to source the US telecom operator’s technologies in exchange for a minor stake in Vee Telecom, company chairman Richard Lai (賴富源) told reporters.

Global Mobile and Vee Telecom are scheduled to start commercial operations in Hsinchu and Taichung respectively from the third quarter.

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